Stalls for animals and gate assemblies therefor

ABSTRACT

A gate assembly for fitting to a stall for animals, comprises inner and outer barrier elements which are movably mounted one behind the other at the entrance to the stall. Each barrier element is movable between an operative position in which it bars the entrance to the stall and an inoperative displaced position, and the operation of the barrier elements is so inter-related that one of the barrier elements is in the position in which it bars the entrance, when the other is in the inoperative position and vice-versa.

1W Minted States Patent 11 1 1 1 1 Dower Jan. 15, 11974 1 STALLS FORANIMALS AND GATE ASSlEMlBlLEES THEREFOR Primary Examiner--Hugh R.Chamblee [76] Inventor: James Dower, Kiladangan Attorney sldney Faber etDungarvan, Ireland 1221 Filed: Aug. 22, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT [21 1 APPLNo: 282,685 A gate assembly for fitting to a stall for animals,comprises mner and outer barrler elements which are movably mounted onebehind the other at the en- U.S. CB. trance to the sta]] Each barrierelement is movable [5 between an operative position in it bars the erField of Search trance to the tall and an inoperative displaced posivtion, and the operation of the barrier elements is so [56] Referencesuled inter-related that one of the barrier elements is in the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS position in which it bars the entrance, when the other2,105 879 1/1938 DeHart 119/50 is in the inoperative Position andVice-Versa- 2.260 028 10/1941 Houston 119/50 579.484 3/1897 Jarrett119/27 7 Clams 4 Drawmg Flglres PATENTEB JAN 1 5 I974 sum 1 or 3PATENTEDJAH 1 51m SHEET 2 [IF 3 HMHH I I I H IHHU JUN lH lu STALLS FORANIMALS AND GATE ASSEMBLIES THEREFOR This invention relates to stallsfor animals, and more particularly to a gate assembly for an animalstall.

It is found that when animals, and in particular sows, are being driveninto stalls intended for individual animals, there is a tendency for theanimals to try to follow one another into the same stall. The result ofan animal trying to force its way into a relatively narrow stall whichis already occupied by another, is to cause great distress to the firstoccupant of the stall.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a gate assemblyfor fitting to an animal stall, which will allow one animal to pass intothe stall but which will then act to prevent a further animal enteringthe stall.

A further and more general object of the invention is to provide a gateassembly for an animal stall which will be convenient to operate in use.

According to the invention, there is provided a gate assembly comprisinginner and outer barrier elements adapted to be mounted one behind theother at the entrance to a stall, so that each barrier element ismovable between an operative position in which it extends in theentrance to the stall and an inoperative displaced position, theoperation of the barrier elements being so inter-related that one of thebarrier elements is in the operative position when the other is in theinoperative position and vice versa.

The arrangement may be such that when the inner barrier element is inits operative position it is normally free to be displaced by an animalattempting to enter the stall, so as to admit the animal to the stall,while means are provided to prevent the outer barrier element, when inits operative position, from being displaced by a second animalattempting to enter the stall, so that it bars the way to the secondanimal.

Preferably the barrier elements are mounted so as to be pivotablebetween their operative and inoperative positions. Moreover, the axis ofpivoting movement of each barrier element may be horizontal, and thebarrier elements may conveniently be arranged for pivoting movementabout a'common horizontal axis.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to theaccompanying drawings which show one form of gate for an animal stall.In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gate assembly;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the median plane of the assembly, in thedirection of the arrows A-A in FIG. 1, showing the assembly mounted inthe entrance to a stall, and in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view from a viewpoint corresponding to FIG. 2, but showingthe gate assembly in its open" position; for simplicity, certainancillary parts shown in FIG. 2 are omitted;

FIG. 4 is a view from a viewpoint corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 3, butshowing the position which the parts of the gate assembly take up, as ananimal enters the stall; certain parts are again omitted.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to 7 FIGS. 2 and 3,these figures show the gate assembly fitted at the entrance to a narrowstall, the walls of which are at such a distance apart as will allow asow to walk forwardly into the stall and reverse out. The walls areconstructed of tubular steel, the position of one wall being'indicatedin dotted lines at 1 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The gate assembly comprises two barrier elements 2 and 3 made partlyfrom tubular steel and partly from flat steel strip. Each barrier 2 or 3includes a frameportion 21 or 31 of steel strip, by means of which thebarrier is pivotally mounted for turning movement relatively to ahorizontal axis common to the two barriers 2 and 3. For this purpose thetwo frame portions 21,31 are pivoted together by means of pivots 7 and 8and,

when the gate assembly is mounted at the entrance to.

the stall, the pivots 7 and 8 define the common pivotal axis of thebarriers 2 and 3, this axis extending across the upper part of theentrance 9 of the stall.

Each barrier 2 or 3 comprises two tubular limbs 22, 23 or 32, 33 weldedto the frame 21 or 31 so as to extend substantially at right angles tothe plane of the frame, thus forming the barrier proper. In the case ofthe barrier 2 (referred to herein as the inner" barrier) the ends of thelimbs 22, 23 further from the frame 21 are connected by a corss-piece24, while the corresponding ends of the limbs 32, 33 of the barrier 3(referred to herein as the outer barrier) are merely slightly curvedoutwardly as shown in the drawings.

In order to ensure rigidity, the limbs 22, 23 of the barrier 2 areconnected to the frame 21 by means of struts 25, 26 and the limbs 32, 33of the barrier 3 are connected to the frame 31 by means of struts 35,36.

When either barrier is in its operative position, the frame-portion 21or 31 thereof projects substantially horizontally from the axis of thepivots 7,8 and the two limbs 22,23 or 32, 33 depend vertically so as tobar the entrance to the stall.

This position of the barrier 2 is indicated in FIG. 3, which shows theopen position of the device, and in this position the other barrier 3has its limbs 31, 32 extending substantially horizontally outwardsrelatively to the stall entrance. When the device is in the closedposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the limbs 31, 32 of the barrier 3depend vertically and the limbs 21, 22 of the barrier 2 projecthorizontally inwardly relatively to the stall. This complementaryarrangement of the barriers 2 and 3 is achieved by means of two springs'41, 42 connected between the pairs of struts 25, 35 and 26,36 and twoconnecting chains 43,44 connected between the frames 21,31 of therespective barriers.

When the device is in the open position shown in FIG. 3, in order toenter the stall, an animal pushes against the depending limbs 22,23 ofthe inner barrier 2 and/or against the cross-piece 24, so that thebarrier is deflected inwardly, the cross-piece 24 meanwhile sliding overthe shoulders and back of the animal as shown in FIG. 4. By virtue ofthe resilient interconnection between the two barriers, provided by thesprings 41, 42, the outer barrier 3 now begins to pivot downwardlytowards the position in which its limbs are vertical. The limbs 32,33thus engage the animals back, and pivot towards their vertical positionsin the entrance to the, stall, as they are allowed to do so by forwardmovement of the animal into the stall, until eventually they reach thedepending vertical positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which they barthe entrance to the stall.

When the barriers 2 and 3 are in the relative positions shown in FIG. 4,the springs 41,42 are under tension, but the connecting chains 43,44 areslack. However, as the barrier 3 moves into the position in which itslimbs 32,33 are vertical, the chains 43,44 tighten and the barrier 2 isdrawn, under the action of the weight of the barrier 3, into thepositionshown in FIG. 2, in which the limbs 22,23 are horizontal. The upwardpivoting movement of the limbs 22,23 is limited by the engagementthereof with a fixed stop-member 45 (FIG. 2) constituted by a length ofangle-iron secured in a position extending across the upper part of thestall. Further pivoting movement of the outer barrier 3 in the inwarddirection relatively to the entrance of the stall is now prevented bythe tautened chains 43,44. Thus if a second animal now tries to enterthe stall, this is effectively prevented. On the other hand, normallythe outer barrier 3 is free to swing outwards (except as describedbelow), so that if the first animal wishes to emerge from the stall, itis free to push the outer barrier 3 outwards.

Two lengths of steel strip 46 and 47 are welded to the frame 31 of thebarrier 3. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the strip or bar 47 is cranked insuch a way that its upper end 48 is engaged with and disengaged from afixed stop-member 49 formed by a length of angle-iron, during pivotingmovement of the barrier 3. It will be noted that when the end 48 of thebar 47 is engaged with the stop 49 in the manner shown in FIG. 2, thestop 49 serves as a further safeguard against the barrier 3 being pushedinwards by a further animal trying to enter the stall. On the otherhand, the bar 47 does not normally prevent the barrier 3 being pushedoutwardly by an animal in the stall attempting to emerge.

However, a spring-catch or gravity-catch 50 is provided which can beset, when desired, to engage automatically with the end 51 of the stripor bar 46 when the outer barrier 3 reaches the position in which it barsthe entrance to the stall. In this case, outward movement of the outerbarrier 3 is prevented and the animal is retained in the stall until thecatch is released so as to free the outer barrier for outward movement.Release of the catch 50 is effected by means ofa lever 52, which canconveniently be mounted on the stopmember 45, and which is connected tothe catch 50 by means of a cord 53.

If the outer barrier 3 is, in fact, free for outward movement, then asan animal pushes the limbs 32,33 thereof outwards, the barrier 3 pivotsback towards its inoperative position. The inner barrier 2 thencommences to move downwardly under the tension in the springs 41,42, sothat the barriers 2 and 3 are again in somewhat the relative positionsshown in FIG. 4. As the barrier 2 moves into the position in which itslimbs 22,23 are vertical, the chains 43,44 tighten, and the barrier 3 isthen drawn, under the action of the weight of the barrier 2, into theposition shown in FIG. 3, in which its limbs 32,33 extendsubstantiallyhorizontally outwards. Further pivoting movement of the barrier 3 islimited by engagement with a fixed stop-member 54 (shown only in FIG.2). Meanwhile the inner barrier 2 reaches its closed position, in whichits limbs 22,23 depend vertically in the entrance to the stall.

Referring again to the movement of the barrier 3 from the position shownin FIG. 3, towards the position shown in FIG. 4, it will be appreciatedthat this movement is initiated by the force applied to the springs41,42 by the displacement of the barrier 2, but thereafter, downwardpivoting of the barrier 3 is assisted by gravity until, finally, thebarrier 3 reaches the position shown in FIG. 2. At this time the chains43,44 again become taut, thus applying a force to the barrier 2 to urgethe latter into the inoperative position in which finally it engages thestop 45. The situation is similar during the reverse movement describedin the preceding paragraph. It will be understood, therefore, that thebarriers 2 and 3 are in a counterbalanced arrangement. The barriers 2and 3 are constructed so that their respective centres of gravity arelocated in suitable positions for the desired counterbalancing effect tobe achieved.

It will be noted that during the movement of the barriers 2 and 3 ineach direction, the springs 41,42 provide a lost-motion connectionbetween the barriers. The chains 43,44 constitute deformable connectingmeans which are capable of providing a forcetransmitting connectionbetween the barriers 2 and 3 when required, but which are deformable toallow relative movement of the barriers when necessary.

In some cases it might, of course, be sufficient to employ a singlespring 41 or 42 and a single chain 43 or 44, a cord or cords could beemployed instead of chains.

It will be understood that the above description of one form of gateconstructed in accordance with the invention is given by way of exampleonly and that the details thereof can be modified without departing fromthe scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an animal stall having two walls forming between them a relativelynarrow entrance for the passage of animals into and out of the stall, agate assembly which comprises inner and outer barrier elements movablymounted one behind the other adjacent said entrance, each barrierelement being movable between an operative position in which it extendsin said entrance and an inoperative displaced position, and meansinterconnecting said barrier elements and providing a lostmotionconnection between them, whereby one of said barrier elements is causedto move towards its operative position when the other moves towards itsinoperative position and vice versa, while allowing limited angulardisplacement of said barrier elements relatively to one another duringsuch movement.

2. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said interconnectingmeans is effective to allow said inner barrier element, when in itsoperative position, to be normally free for displacement towards itsinoperative position, by an animal attempting to enter said stall, so asto admit the animal to the stall, said assembly further comprising meansto prevent said outer barrier element from being displaced when in itsoperative position, by an animal attempting to enter said stall, so thatit bars the way to such animal.

3. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said interconnectingmeans connects saidbarrier elements for counter-balancing movement, suchthat each said barrier element, during movement towards its operativeposition, applies a force to the other said barrier element to assistthe latter in its movement towards its inoperative position.

4. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein said barrier elementsare pivotably connected for movement relatively to one another, about acommon pivotal axis.

5. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein each saidbarrierelement is pivotable between its operative and inoperative positionsabout a horizontal axis, and wherein said interconnecting means servesto interconnect said barrier elements for counter-balanced movement,such that eachbarrier element is gravityassisted in its movement towardsits operative position force between said barrier elements, but beingdeformable to allow movement of said barrier elements relatively to oneanother.

7. A gate assembly according to claim 6, wherein spring means areprovided, biassing said barrier elements towards relative positions inwhich said deformable connection is capable of transmitting forcebetween said barrier elements.

1. In an animal stall having two walls forming between them a relativelynarrow entrance for the passage of animals into and out of the stall, agate assembly which comprises inner and outer barrier elements movablymounted one behind the other adjacent said entrance, each barrierelement being movable between an operative position in which it extendsin said entrance and an inoperative displaced position, and meansinterconnecting said barrier elements and providing a lost-motionconnection between them, whereby one of said barrier elements is causedto move towards its operative position when the other moves towards itsinoperative position and vice versa, while allowing limited angulardisplacement of said barrier elements relatively to one another duringsuch movement.
 2. A gate assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidinterconnecting means is effective to allow said inner barrier element,when in its operative position, to be normally free for displacementtowards its inoperative position, by an animal attempting to enter saidstall, so as to admit the animal to the stall, said assembly furthercomprising means to prevent said outer barrier element from beingdisplaced when in its operative position, by an animal attempting toenter said stall, so that it bars the way to such animal.
 3. A gateassembly according to claim 1, wherein said interconnecting meansconnects said barrier elements for counter-balancing movement, such thateach said barrier element, during movement towards its operativeposition, applies a force to the other said barrier element to assistthe latter in its movement towards its inoperative position.
 4. A gateassembly according to claim 1, wherein said barrier elements arepivotably connected for movement relatively to one another, about acommon pivotal axis.
 5. A gate assembly according to claim 1, whereineach said barrier element is pivotable between its operative andinoperative positions about a horizontal axis, and wherein saidinterconnecting means serves to interconnect said barrier elements forcounter-balanced movement, such that each barrier element isgravity-assisted in its movement towards its operative position whilesaid interconnecting means is effective, under the action ofgravity-assisted movement of one said barrier element, to apply a forceto the other said barrier element, to assist the latter in its movementtowards its inoperative position.
 6. A gate assembly according to claim5, wherein said interconnecting means include a deformable connectioninterconnecting said barrier elements, said deformable connection beingcapable of transmitting force between said barrier elements, but beingdeformable to allow movement of said barrier elements relatively to oneanother.
 7. A gate assembly according to claim 6, wherein spring meansare provided, biassing said barrier elements towards relative positionsin which said deformable connection is capable of transmitting forcebetween said barrier elements.